A traveler has lunch at French Meadow Bakery and Cafe at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. (Pioneer Press, file)

Several new restaurants will open in Concourse G at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport starting next year, Delta Air Lines announced Monday. Many of the new spots will have familiar local names behind them.

Atlanta-based Delta, the Twin Cities' dominant carrier, said the changes are part of a $2 billion investment to improve the overall travel experience for customers after similar upgrades at New York-area airports. In a continuing partnership, Delta has selected OTG Management to run the enhanced food and beverage program at the airport.

Besides food, Delta will also introduce the OTG Media Bar, a virtual newsstand where customers can rent Apple iPads loaded with the content of their choice. The devices will be available at Cibo markets located throughout the concourse. Once the traveler reaches her final destination, a prepaid postage box assigned at the time of rental will be used to return the iPad.

New additions to Concourse G are to include:

- Mill City Tavern: inspired by the local-ingredient commitment of Lenny Russo, chef/owner of St. Paul's Heartland.

- Mimosa: a raw bar and brasserie created by Russell Klein of Meritage in St. Paul.

- Minnesota Beer Hall: OTG has teamed with Erick Harcey of Victory 44 and the Kitchen in Stillwater to create this pub offering 48 beers on tap, signature cocktails and serving breakfast.

- Minni Bar: Chef Andrew Zimmern of the Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods" will oversee a menu of globally inspired sandwiches at this cafe.

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- Twinburger: A collaboration with Scott Nelson, owner of Matt's Bar in Minneapolis, best known for its Jucy Lucy burgers with cheese in the middle instead of on top.

- Shoyu: Koshiki Yonemura Smith of Tanpopo Noodle Shop in St. Paul is behind this Japanese spot with noodles and dumplings made fresh daily in a glass structure that juts out into the terminal to engage travelers.

- Volante: The modern Italian restaurant will be overseen by Doug Flicker of Piccolo restaurant in Minneapolis.

- The Cibo Express Gourmet Food Halls: Grab and go is the idea here. Chef Michelle Gayer, owner of the Salty Tart Bakery in Minneapolis, has developed a line of "black label" sandwiches with artisanal meats and cheeses. Minneapolis bakery Rustica will be providing the bread.

- Worldbean's coffee comes from the Dogwood Coffee Company of Minneapolis. Worldbean will also feature a seasonal assortment of whole-leaf teas selected by Bill Waddington, owner of TeaSource. Other Cibo Express spots will be Custom Burger, with a menu of burgers by Harcey; Lucy's Asian Kitchen; and Tagliare, with pizza by the slice.